On the Winnipeg Jets, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues and Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Custance of ESPN: (mailbag) The Jets won’t do a Jacob Trouba for Marc-Andre Fleury and pick/prospect as they still think Connor Hellebuyck will be an above-average No. 1. Think that Trouba gets traded before his bridge contract is up, but they have plenty of time to make that move.
Odds for Vegas’s first coach: Gerard Gallant 2-1, Bob Hartley 11/5, Marc Crawford 13/2, Travis Green 10/1, Davis Payne 15/1 and Ken Hitchcock 20/1.
The Red Wings need a good, young, top pairing defenseman. They need to start selling earlier than later. Thomas Vanek has value and they should get a decent return for him. Drew Miller, Steve Ott and Brendan Smith should bring back some return. They need to free up some cap space so that after next season they can take a run at a Cam Fowler or John Tavares if they hit the open market.
To fit Artemi Panarin‘s next contract in, would look at the idea of moving defenseman Brent Seabrook or goaltender Corey Crawford. Both players have a no-movement clause. Could talk to the Dallas Stars about Crawford.
Sense is the Anaheim Ducks will sit tight for now with regards to a top-six forward, but that could change closer to the deadline.
Marc-Andre Fleury wants to play more, the Pittsburgh Penguins need the cap space to bring in some depth, and there is the June expansion draft. They will find a way to move Fleury before the trade deadline.
Think that St. Louis Blues trade pending UFA defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk before the trade deadline. The return for Shattenkirk needs to be something that will help them out now. Martin Hanzal would be a fit in St. Louis, but don’t see Shattenkirk’s expiring contract a fit, unless they can flip him.